The 17 UN SDGs are a set of global development targets adopted by the United Nations (UN) member countries in September 2015 to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The UN SDGs are driving the global development agenda towards Agenda 2030.
The Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020 is in direct response to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and provides a whole-of-government approach to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The SDG National Implementation Plan 2022-2024 updates this first report.
This Publication for 'Goal 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth' has sixteen SDG indicators which are divided into four main chapters: Economic Growth, Decent Work, Employment Rights and Policies, and Infrastructure.
SDG 8.1.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita is published by the CSO, National Accounts Division.
SDG 8.2.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person is published by the CSO, National Accounts Division.
SDG 8.3.1 Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex is published by the CSO, Labour Force Survey.
SDG 8.4.1 Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP is published by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).
SDG 8.4.2 Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP is published by Eurostat.
SDG 8.5.1 Average hourly earnings of employees, by sex, age, occupation and persons with disabilities is published by the CSO, Earnings and Labour Costs and Eurostat.
SDG 8.5.2 Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities is published by the CSO, Labour Force Survey, Monthly Unemployment and the Census of Population.
SDG 8.6.1 Proportion of youth (aged 15-24 years) not in education, employment or training is available from information published by the CSO, Labour Force Survey.
SDG 8.7.1 Proportion and number of children aged 5‑17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age is covered under legislation by the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996.
SDG 8.8.1 Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status is published by the Health and Safety Authority.
SDG 8.8.2 Level of national compliance of labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status - The ILO International Unit within the Department ensures that Ireland’s annual reporting obligations to the ILO are fulfilled.
SDG 8.9.1 Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate is published by Eurostat.
SDG 8.10.1 (a) Number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and (b) number of automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults is published from a number of sources and the CSO.
SDG 8.10.2 Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider is published by the Central Bank of Ireland and the CSO.
SDG 8.a.1 Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements is published by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
SDG 8.b.1 Existence of a developed and operationalized national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy is published by the Department of Social Protection.
For reference the population per county is based on the Census of Population 2022 data as follows:
| Northern & Western NUTS2 Region | Southern NUTS2 Region | Eastern & Midland NUTS2 Region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUTS3 Regions |
Border | Cavan Donegal Leitrim Monaghan Sligo |
Mid-West | Clare Limerick Tipperary |
Dublin | Dublin City Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Fingal South Dublin |
| South-East | Carlow Kilkenny Waterford Wexford |
Mid-East | Kildare Louth Meath Wicklow |
|||
| West | Galway Mayo Roscommon |
South-West | Cork Kerry |
Midland | Laois Longford Offaly Westmeath |
|
Government department details are found in the list of Government Departments.
All indicators data are classified by the IAEG-SDGs into three tiers based on their level of methodological development and the availability of data at the global level.
Tier Classification Criteria/Definitions:
Tier 1: Indicator is conceptually clear, has an internationally established methodology and standards are available, and data are regularly produced by countries for at least 50 per cent of countries and of the population in every region where the indicator is relevant.
Tier 2: Indicator is conceptually clear, has an internationally established methodology and standards are available, but data are not regularly produced by countries.
Tier 3: No internationally established methodology or standards are yet available for the indicator, but methodology/standards are being (or will be) developed or tested.
The SDG Policy Map is published by Dept. Climate, Energy & Environment. Click on this link to view the SDG Policy Map.
| Goal 8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all | |
|---|---|
| 8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries | 8.1.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita |
| 8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors | 8.2.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person |
| 8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services | 8.3.1 Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex |
| 8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead | 8.4.1 Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP |
| 8.4.2 Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP | |
| 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | 8.5.1 Average hourly earnings of employees, by sex, age, occupation and persons with disabilities |
| 8.5.2 Unemployment rate, by sex, age and persons with disabilities | |
| 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training | 8.6.1 Proportion of youth (aged 15–24 years) not in education, employment or training |
| 8.7 Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms | 8.7.1 Proportion and number of children aged 5–17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age |
| 8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment | 8.8.1 Fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers, by sex and migrant status |
| 8.8.2 Level of national compliance with labour rights (freedom of association and collective bargaining) based on International Labour Organization (ILO) textual sources and national legislation, by sex and migrant status | |
| 8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products | 8.9.1 Tourism direct GDP as a proportion of total GDP and in growth rate |
| 8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all | 8.10.1 (a) Number of commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults and (b) number of automated teller machines (ATMs) per 100,000 adults |
| 8.10.2 Proportion of adults (15 years and older) with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-money-service provider | |
| 8.a Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries | 8.a.1 Aid for Trade commitments and disbursements |
| 8.b By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization | 8.b.1 Existence of a developed and operationalized national strategy for youth employment, as a distinct strategy or as part of a national employment strategy |
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